Part 3
Ning Yunyi pretended not to see his resentful gaze. He coughed lightly and pointed at his follower count. “It’s already five million. When I streamed at the castle today, the concurrent viewers exceeded one million. Do you know what this represents?”
Zong Hao shook his head. He always knew Ning Yunyi was popular on Star Stream, but he didn’t quite understand why Ning Yunyi was showing him this suddenly. However, Ning Yunyi wouldn’t do this without reason; he must be planning something that required his help.
Sure enough, Ning Yunyi continued, “This ID account was given to me by Father when I left the Capital Star. It’s encrypted; my true identity cannot be queried, nor can my location be tracked. That’s why, despite making Ancient Blue Star cuisine all these days, I haven’t been found.
“I asked Father yesterday. He said this is the highest-level account he developed. No one in the galaxy except him can decipher it. In other words, this account is completely unrestricted.
“You are a shifter but kept it hidden. Actually, I can understand. When we first met, you didn’t know if I was friend or foe, so not daring to expose yourself was excusable. After all, I didn’t fully trust you either; I kept you in a cage at first and never stated my true identity. So, we can consider our mutual concealments settled.
“But regarding what happened in the palace, the Shifter Alliance, and even including City Lord White, the Young Lord, Marshal Zong’s adopted sister, and Ayres… I want to make some changes.”
Zong Hao’s beast eyes gradually turned solemn, earnest, and serious. He stared fixedly at Ning Yunyi, forgetting to react for a moment.
His paws on the table involuntarily flexed, his gaze becoming moved. He understood what Ning Yunyi planned to do. He wanted to use his current fan base and influence to change the situation for shifters.
The plight of shifters had existed for too long. No one had ever thought to change it, and even if they had, they likely ended in disappointment.
Even as the head of one of the three great noble families, his father couldn’t protect his adopted sister back then. He couldn’t protect Zong Hao, only forbidding him from exposing his shifter identity. Wasn’t that a subconscious insecurity, knowing the situation he would face if exposed?
But now, Ning Yunyi was telling him he wanted to change it. Even if part of the reason was for the Little Meow Cub, Zong Hao was deeply moved. He was doing something great… something that might genuinely bring change.
After spending these days together, he had seen the other’s mystery and uniqueness. He was like someone from another world who had suddenly barged in to save everyone.
If shifters truly disappeared, could the rest of the galaxy really protect itself?
Would it not invite another kind of slaughter and extinction in the future?
Ning Yunyi felt uncomfortable being stared at by the Big Cat. “Did you guess what I’m going to do? As you can see, since this account can’t be tracked or investigated, why can’t I let you appear as shifters in upcoming streams? Show everyone that shifters, aside from different genes, are just like ordinary people—they have emotions and desires, and are no different.”
However, this was also a huge gamble. If he lost the gamble on humanity—if the treatment of shifters in the galaxy was too deeply rooted to change—then this account would be ruined. But he wouldn’t regret it. at least he would have tried. He would just let the [Sect’s First Blade] account disappear completely.
But if… he won the gamble, then not only would the cub no longer need to hide, but Ayres and the people from the Shifter Alliance could also appear in the open.
Just because their genes were powerful, why should they be forced to exploit their massive potential? They should have the right to choose.
Ning Yunyi wanted to say more, but the Big Cat suddenly placed a paw on the back of his hand. His eyes were resolute and unhesitating, as if saying: No matter what you do, I will cooperate, at any cost.
Years ago, when the news of his adopted sister’s death came—no corpse remained, swallowed by the insect tide, buried with only a set of clothes—his father fell ill and died not long after. It was because of regret that he hadn’t protected her, hadn’t fulfilled his best friend’s dying wish, and had let his friend’s only bloodline perish.
So, even if he had to bet his position, Zong Hao was willing to try.
Looking into the Big Cat’s beast eyes, Ning Yunyi felt a mix of complicated emotions and a subtle sourness. After a long while, he very lightly patted the cat’s head. “Sorry. You’ve always done very well.”
The concealment out of necessity wasn’t a mistake; it was a helpless move under the circumstances.
Zong Hao stiffened at Ning Yunyi’s sudden closeness and intimate gesture, but the tips of his ears twitched habitually. He instinctively rubbed against Ning Yunyi’s palm as he used to. This time, both Zong Hao and Ning Yunyi’s expressions changed. Good lord. If we ever really talk this out, I feel Marshal Zong probably won’t want to see me for the rest of his life.
After all, the Big Cat had lost all his dignity in his hands, and he had personally witnessed every one of Marshal Zong’s “social death” moments.
Once Ning Yunyi finished explaining the details, he touched his nose. “Of course, there is one more thing to tell you.”
Zong Hao glanced at Ning Yunyi suspiciously. Seeing his small movements, he had an inexplicable bad feeling. “Meow?”
Ning Yunyi coughed lightly. “It’s like this. I plan to say that because I couldn’t bear for you to go undergo potential training, I took the two of you to an undeveloped planet, living in seclusion as your elder.”
Zong Hao: “??” E… Elder?
Ning Yunyi: “So, your identity in the livestream tomorrow will be my eldest nephew, and the cub will be my son… your cousin. Although the cub can maintain his form now, just in case, he will use a virtual cartoon avatar. You need to cooperate with me. However, to prevent you from being recognized when you move around the Capital Star later, especially with your unique tail, you need to change your image. So… do you mind?”
Marshal Zong could still hide his shifter identity now. But if they succeeded later and he revealed his identity, wouldn’t his public image be exposed? So, a slight disguise was better.
Zong Hao’s mood was complex. The only relief was that he would be in cat form, so he didn’t actually have to call him “Uncle.” Otherwise… he could never let him know he was Marshal Zong in this lifetime.
Zong Hao agreed. Ning Yunyi looked at the late hour and let him go, preparing for a tough battle tomorrow.
After all, no one knew if a storm of blood would follow the end of the broadcast. The status of shifters outside was too low. But he was fearless.
Ning Yunyi returned to his room. Zong Hao went to the room next to the cub’s but lay there unable to sleep.
He turned Ning Yunyi’s words over and over in his mind, growing increasingly worried that Ning Yunyi’s broadcast tomorrow would be attacked. Finally, he got up, quietly went to Ning Little Meow’s room, saw the wristband, mentally apologized, and hooked it down. He quickly sent a message, deleted it, and returned to his room.
On the other side, Ning Yunyi’s wristband lit up while Zong Hao was operating the other one. Ning Yunyi sighed, pulled up the display, and looked at the data revealed on it. His mood was complicated. What should he say?
[Usage Trace 6: Recorded sending of digital keys automatically captured as text: “151, send someone to monitor the Star Stream anchor [Sect’s First Blade] at all times tomorrow. Once the wind blows the wrong way, block it for him at all costs. If anyone splashes dirty water, find a way to strike back without revealing identity.”_]
Ning Yunyi looked at the text with mixed feelings. The opposing account still couldn’t be tracked, but looking at “151,” Ning Yunyi narrowed his eyes. After a while, his expression grew stranger. 151. 1+5+1=7. Seven? Qi? Ichi (Yi Qi)?
Very good. Now it’s 100% confirmed.
And Marshal Zong really wasn’t afraid that he was a bad person. Daring to be so reckless while knowing his abilities—if Ning Yunyi had any evil intentions, like “holding the Emperor hostage to command the nobles,” wouldn’t the Zong family be his?
Ning Yunyi went to sleep with complex emotions. On the other end, Ichi received this order in the middle of the night and was dumbfounded. ? W-What is this? Why did the Marshal suddenly ask him to monitor a streamer?
Does Mr. White like this sort of thing?
What is this [Sect’s First Blade]? A knife seller?
But the Marshal’s order had to be executed immediately. Just in case, he couldn’t wait until tomorrow. He went to explore Star Stream, a place he had never set foot in, and then… stayed up all night, howling with hunger.
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